Jean Tsao

Dr. Jean Tsao is a Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. Her research focuses on disease ecology, particularly tick-borne pathogens like Lyme disease, and the ecological and evolutionary factors influencing their spread. She teaches courses in medical entomology, field ecology of disease vectors, and investigates zoonotic diseases in wildlife.

Her work integrates field studies, genomic analysis, and community science to understand tick ecology, pathogen transmission dynamics, and invasive species management. Notable projects include examining the northward expansion of tick species like Amblyomma americanum and the role of migratory birds in disease dispersal. Dr. Tsao collaborates on multi-million dollar grants, such as the $4.4M NIH-funded study analyzing tick-borne diseases via migratory birds.

Her research also explores public health interventions, including smartphone apps (e.g., The Tick App) to track tick encounters and assess risk behaviors. She emphasizes One Health approaches, bridging wildlife, veterinary, and human health. Key collaborations include the Mediterranean and Black Sea Flyway Network for avian disease surveillance and the Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Disease.

Dr. Tsao’s grants span interdisciplinary training in biosecurity, ecoepidemiology of tick species, and pathogen surveillance. Her lab contributes to genetic studies of tick populations, revealing adaptations driving disease risk. She advises on policy and public health strategies to mitigate emerging infectious diseases and invasive species impacts.